Trail Runner Nation

We have a special treat for all those seeking inspiration from the world of endurance sports. Imagine hurtling down treacherous slopes at breakneck speeds, defying gravity, and pushing the limits of human ability. Our guest needs no introduction in the world of alpine racing but might in our tribe - he's the epitome of dedication, grit, and perseverance. With a remarkable 21 World Cup seasons, 3 W...

It has been a long time since we have done a drop bag episode.   Andy Jones-Wilkins takes a break from his Crack-A-Brew podcast to compare what is in his drop bag.  

Have you ever been told, you are heel striking, you shouldn't do that!  You need to land on your forefoot or midfoot!  And after trying, became frustrated and given up? Today we are going to speak with an expert on gait, balance and stability to understand how you can improve your core balance and stability that then will help you run more efficiently. Danny Abshire is a veteran running coach and...

Are you patient?  Can you find benefits of being more patient?  Returning expert and ultra runner, Dr. Rob Bell . helps us with some strategies that can help us be more patient.  A certified Mental Performance Coach and author of "I Can't Wait to Be Patient (And the Fastest Way to Get There)," Dr. Bell shares his expertise cultivated through years of academic research and practical coaching. Unpac...

This year it seems like course records throughout trail running have been dropping like flies.   UltraRunning Magazine lists hundreds of new records for both men and women on their site.  Some of these records are decades old.  Are we getting faster?  It sure seems like that.   Alex Hutchinson has also been wondering this and decided to do his science thing and find out the truth.  In his recent O...

Welcome to today's episode, where we explore an exhilarating topic that's been gaining traction within the endurance sports community: the fascinating role of ketones in enhancing athletic performance. Ketones, a type of fuel utilized by the body when glucose levels are low, have proven to offer numerous benefits for endurance athletes, including increased energy, improved performance, reduced fat...

Good friend, Dr. Phil Maffetone, joins us again to help us understand how important music can be to improve the neuroplasticity of your brain and enter the alpha state.  What does this mean for an endurance runner?  Dr. Maffetone explains why you should care! Previous episodes with Dr. Maffetone: Get Stronger with Dr. Phil Maffetone Why is Weight-Loss so Difficult Even for Runners? Dr. Phil Maffet...

We have a truly captivating show lined up for you today, as we dive deep into the world of metabolism and how it affects our health, fitness, and athletic performance. Joining us today is a true expert in this field. Angelo Poli, a renowned coach and metabolic guru who has worked with a diverse range of individuals, from top athletes like Quarterback Aaron Rodgers to busy CEOs and dedicated moms....

We are thrilled to have Tom Evans, the newly crowned champion of the 50th running of the Western States 100 , with us today. Tom, an adidas TERREX athlete and ultrarunner, has just achieved an incredible feat, finishing the race in a remarkable time of 14 hours, 40 minutes, and 22 seconds. Not only did he secure the victory, but he also recorded the 4th fastest time ever in the history of the West...

We all know that feeling when running starts to feel like a chore rather than a passion. But fear not, because Coach Patrick Reagan is here to share his personal journey of rediscovering his running mojo and provide expert advice on how you can do the same. Patrick will be sharing his insights into the power of play, the importance of community, and strategies for setting new goals and overcoming...

This coming weekend is the 50th anniversary of the one of the most legendary ultramarathons in the world - the Western States 100. As we have done almost every year, we are joined by our good friend, Andy Jones-Wilkins , to review some of the names and stories of the 381 racers that will be running in 2023. For half a century, this race has tested the limits of human endurance, attracting elite ru...

Frosty, Anna Frost , a trail running icon who has conquered the most challenging trails while inspiring countless runners along the way. In this episode we delve into a topic that is very close to her heart - maintaining a relationship with running as life takes unexpected turns. From her days as an elite pro trail runner to embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood, and now as a successful...

Dr. Joe Uhan , a renowned physical therapist, board-certified orthopedic specialist, functional manual therapist, and USATF Level 2 coach. Oh, and did I mention he's an accomplished runner too? Joe has practices in Auburn, CA, and Eugene, OR, Joe is a contributor to iRunFar and UltraRunning Magazine . He's here to share his unique perspective on the iconic Western States 100 , a race that he has n...

Regardless of your age, all of us are getting older.  Do nutritional needs change as we age?  As trail runners, we know the incredible impact that nutrition can have on our performance. But as we age, our bodies undergo changes that require a more strategic and mindful approach to fueling ourselves for the long run. That's why, in this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of longevity...

Join us on this episode as we delve into the world of endurance training and racing with the legendary Dr. Phil Maffetone , one of the most influential figures in endurance sports. Christopher McDougall, acclaimed trail runner and author, hails Dr. Maffetone as the ultimate source of clarity and wisdom in the field. Mark Allen, the six-time winner of the Hawaiian Ironman, sets the stage for an unp...

Are you ready to take your running game to the next level? Whether you're gearing up for marathons, ultra-races, or simply looking to improve your endurance, this is the episode you don't want to miss. In this special rerun edition from two years ago, we dive into the valuable insights shared by the renowned runner and coach, Andy Jones-Wilkins. Get ready as we explore the seven simple yet powerfu...

We are thrilled to have our dear friend and returning guest,   Patrick Reagan , joining us once again. With over a decade of experience as an elite athlete and coach, Patrick brings a wealth of knowledge to our conversation. Accompanying him is his remarkable athlete, Lotti Brinks , who has been setting the trail running world on fire this year. Lotti's incredible achievements include podium finis...

In this episode, we're joined by three incredible coaches -  Ian Sharman ,  Dr. Joe Uhan , and  Dr. Matt Laye , as well as our very own ChatGPT, a powerful language model that uses AI to provide insights and answers to our burning questions. Together, we'll tackle some of the most common running myths and misconceptions that are often heard in the trail running community. From wearing a mask to si...

On this episode, we're joined by Christopher McDougall, the author of the best-selling book Born to Run. Christopher's new book with coach Eric Orton, "Born to Run 2 - The Ultimate Training Guide." , which is a practical guide to running for everyone from amateurs to seasoned runners, about how to eat, race and train effectively. Chris was one of our first guests when we started the podcast and we...

Welcome to a new episode of Trail Runner Nation, the podcast that explores the sport of trail running and beyond. In this grab bag episode, we have our good friend Andy Jones-Wilkins, a frequent contributor over the years and host of the new "Crack a Brew with AJW" podcast. Season 2 of his podcast will be starting soon.  Don't miss an episode.  If you haven't listened to season 1, check out the gr...

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Eoin Everard , a physiotherapist with a PhD in Biomechanics, to discuss how to get to the starting line of a race or adventure in the best shape possible. Dr. Everard is a certified athletic therapist who works with top athletes to help them perform at their peak. He's also an accomplished runner himself, boasting an impressive running resume that includes bein...

Today, we are excited to have Jason Fitzgerald, founder of Strength Running and author of the book "Running for Health and Happiness" , with us to discuss how to create a running workout plan based on your baseline mileage. Article, "Baseline Mileage: A Better Way To Boost Weekly Running Mileage" As runners, we know the importance of having a structured training plan to help us reach our goals and...

In this episode we speak with Bryce Thatcher, the founder of UltrAspire and a true pioneer in the world of hydration packs. Bryce has been a runner for over 40 years and has always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and sport. In the early 90s, he noticed a gap in the market for hydration systems that were specifically designed for trail runners. With this in mind, he set out to cre...

Floris Gierman, a close friend of ours, invited us to join him on his show to discuss our insights from conducting 615 podcast episodes featuring remarkable guests.  It was a delightful experience, and we thought it would be beneficial to share this episode with you. You can find Floris Gierman's podcast, The Extramilest Show , and his YouTube channel, where he interviews top-notch athletes, coach...

one 2 training is one of the keys for injury-free longevity and improved performance.   Dr. Mark Cucuzzella rejoins The Nation to help us understand what zone 2 training is and how it can benefit us as endurance athletes.  Dr. Cucuzzella is an experienced runner and TRN's resident MD.  He provides valuable insights and practical tips on how to incorporate zone 2 training into our routine. ·      H...